November 3, 2016

The Human Rights Commission has welcomed the Government’s commitment to ban seclusion in schools but says more changes are needed to protect the rights of New Zealand children.

“We welcome the release of guidance for New Zealand schools on behaviour management to minimise physical restraint but we also urge the Ministry of Education to keep working with schools to ensure they are being strictly adhered to,” said Disability Rights Commissioner Paul Gibson.

“Good gains are being made but we also need to see better, more comprehensive training for teachers as well as increased resourcing in relation to children with disabilities.”

“Minister Parata’s acknowledgement that this practise is unacceptable and the ministry’s commitment to banning seclusion along with proposed legislative updates strengthens the human rights of New Zealand children.”

The Commission identified opportunities to incorporate the right to inclusive education prominently throughout any revised legislation to ensure the rights of students with disabilities are upheld, such as including a purpose statement or principles incorporating the right to inclusive education.

“Seclusion is a symptom of a non-inclusive education system and we urge the Ministry of Education to use the timely vehicle of the Education Act review to make our education system more inclusive of all our children,’ said Mr Gibson.